Kentucky Derby Reading Comprehension

The Kentucky Derby is a horse race. It happens on the first Saturday in May. It is one of the most famous horse races in the world. It is part of the “Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Horse Races” in the United States. The Triple Crown also includes the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes.

When does the Kentucky Derby take place?

• On a two mile track
• In Kentucky
• In the Spring
• none of the above

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The Kentucky Derby takes place on a one and a quarter mile (two kilometers) dirt track. The horses must run around the dirt track. The first horse to run around the dirt track is covered in a blanket of roses. For this reason, the Kentucky Derby is also called the “Run for the Roses”.

A Racetrack is:

• a plot of ground, usually oval, laid out for horse racing.
• The place where people watch the horse race
• a building for the lodging and feeding of horses

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The Kentucky Derby takes place on a one and a quarter mile (two kilometers) dirt track. The horses must run around the dirt track. The first horse to run around the dirt track is covered in a blanket of roses. For this reason, the Kentucky Derby is also called the “Run for the Roses”.

How long is the track:

• 1 mile
• two kilometres 
• 1 and a half mile
• 1 kilometer 

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The track is not very long, and so the race is very short. The Kentucky Derby is “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports” for many people. The record for the fastest horse is held by Secretariat, who ran in one minute, fifty-nine seconds in 1973.

A race is:

• a competition between runners, horses and/or vehicles to see which is the fastest in covering a set course.
• a competition between horses only to see which is the fastest covering a set course
• a planned public or social occasion.

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The track is not very long, and so the race is very short. The Kentucky Derby is “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports” for many people. 

Why is the Derby called the  “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports” ?

• the race usually lasts about two minutes
• The last two minutes of the race are very exciting.
• the record of the fastest horse was less than two minutes
• every lap is two minutes

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The track is not very long, and so the race is very short. The Kentucky Derby is “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports” for many people. The record for the fastest horse is held by Secretariat, who ran in one minute, fifty-nine seconds in 1973.

A Record is:

• Being one that surpasses or is superior to others of its kind.
• To finish a competition
• To run very fast
• All of the above

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The horses that race in the Kentucky Derby are three-year-old thoroughbreds. Colts and geldings (male horses) and fillies (female horses) can participate.
What kind of horses run the Kentucky Derby?

• thoroughbreds horses only
• colts only
• any horse that can run the track in two minutes

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The horses that race in the Kentucky Derby are three-year-old thoroughbreds. Colts and geldings (male horses) and fillies (female horses) can participate.

To Participate is to:

• a person who is involved in an activity or event : a person who participates in  an activity or event
• To be involved with others in doing something : to take part in an activity or   event with others
• The place where an event takes place
• All of the above

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Horses and horse breeding have been part of Kentucky culture for over a century. The Kentucky Derby is a celebration of the horse breeding culture, and it is important in the culture of Kentucky and in the American South. Because of the race’s history, many traditions have developed to go with the Derby. People drink special drinks and eat special food at the Kentucky Derby. They eat Derby pie, which is made with walnuts and chocolate.

Which of the following terms is NOT  a synonym of Celebration?

• ceremony
• festival
• party
• exam

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Horses and horse breeding have been part of Kentucky culture for over a century. The Kentucky Derby is a celebration of the horse breeding culture, and it is important in the culture of Kentucky and in the American South. Because of the race’s history, many traditions have developed to go with the Derby. People drink special drinks and eat special food at the Kentucky Derby. They eat Derby pie, which is made with walnuts and chocolate.

Culture is____________.

• a group of students meeting regularly to study a subject under the guidance of    a teacher
• the behaviors and beliefs characteristic of a particular social, ethnic, or age    group
• a number of persons forming one of the sides in a game or contest  

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